Select from NVS is extending its range of animal healthcare products with the launch of DuoTox, a broad-spectrum adsorbent for use following the ingestion of unwanted substances in dogs and cats. Duotox is the first binder to include both activated charcoal and diosmectite, providing a wide-spectrum absorbency against harmful substances. It is available in a paste and liquid designed with palatability in mind. Duotox is now available to order through NVS for all existing or new customers.
Accidental poisoning remains a significant threat to pets, with vets in the UK reporting over 3000 cases (Direct Line Group, 2021) involving poisoning every week and averaging 60 calls a day to the VPIS for assistance (Veterinary Poisons Information Service, 2022) in 2022. 7.1 million pets fell ill after eating something poisonous (Direct Line Group, 2021), and in 2021, the VPIS reported a 40 percent increase in the number of poisoning enquiries.
The current most commonly used product for accidental ingestion is activated charcoal, but this only has an affinity for certain substances. Diosmectite will also only bind to selected substances, including many that activated charcoal will not, but is not as widely used. Up until now, the two have not been used together in one product, leaving situations where the binder administered has no effect. In cases of potential ingestion, identifying the exact substance consumed and relying on vets to know which binder to use for each substance is a barrier to successful toxin binding.
Malcolm Dickinson, category manager for Select from NVS, explains: “Activated charcoal has an affinity for substances that are, for example, acidic, non-ionised or poorly water-soluble, leaving a gap for substances that are alkaline, cationic, hydrophilic, etc. This is where the absorbency profile of diosmectite comes in to create one product with a much wider spectrum of absorbency.”
“This will be hugely beneficial to vets in practice”, Malcolm continues, “Vets can reach for one product, knowing it will be effective.”
In addition to activated charcoal and diosmectite, DuoTox contains sorbitol and glycerine to gently help gut transit time and piperine and curcumin to help aid the normal function of the liver and kidneys and support natural anti-inflammatory processes.
“Ease of use was also of high importance”, Malcolm continues, “The syringe on the Duotox paste has a wide nozzle and smaller syringe size options, meaning administration is far smoother than traditional paste syringes.”
Presented as either a liquid suspension or a dial-a-dose gel syringe, the product is formulated to prevent sedimentation and enhance consistency and flow. The gel nozzle tip is extra wide to aid delivery and the liquid comes in a squeezy bottle with an atraumatic bending tip to aid use. Furthermore, both products have been designed with palatability in mind. Combined these factors result in easy use and administration.
For more information on Duotox and the Select from NVS Healthcare range visit the NVS website or call NVS Orderline. Duotox can be ordered through NVS by new or existing accounts.
